Mayor Admits Using Staff and Equipment for Political Usage

GoLocalProv News Team

Mayor Admits Using Staff and Equipment for Political Usage

Mayor Charles Lombardi
North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi admitted to sending a political email from a town email address, which blasted Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's endorsement of State Representative Aaron Regunberg over Lieutenant Governor and former Cumberland Mayor Dan McKee. 

Lombardi is a staunch political supporter of McKee, who faces a strong challenge from Regunberg in the Democratic primary in September for the Democratic nomination.

The email was sent by the Mayor’s former secretary Anne Browning under the signature, “Mayor’s Office,"  and a North Providence town email address. 

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Downplaying Governing and Politics

"I sent something [to John Hill], oh, maybe three weeks ago now," said Lombardi, when questioned about the email on Tuesday. 

When asked if the email coming from a city email account constituted a violation of the town ordinance, Lombardi responded with the following. 

"I never really thought about it.  I'm sure you'll report on it...you generally only write negative things," said Lombardi. 

Lt. Governor Dan McKee, election night 2014
In the three-page political attack on Elorza and Regunberg, Lombardi wrote, "I am personally disappointed in Mayor Elorza’s decision to endorse Lt. Governor McKee’s opponent. His decision is an indication that he has lost touch with the State of Rhode Island’s business community.”

One of the state's leading watchdogs raises questions about Lombardi's use of public property for personal political use.

“Mayor Lombardi shouldn't be using town resources for partisan political purposes, whether it's against the Code of Ethics or not. Public resources should be used to serve the public, not political allies,” said John Marion of Common Cause Rhode Island. 

Question of State Law

“There has been at least one case where the State Ethics Commission has successfully prosecuted a public employee for using their official email for partisan politics, but in that case it has been for their own campaign, not that of their political ally. In 2015 Susan Cicilline-Buonanno was fined for using her Cranston municipal email account for campaign purposes,” said Marion

Newly appointed Executive Director of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission refused to comment.

“It would be inappropriate and potentially prejudicial for the Ethics Commission to comment on breaking news stories, allegations of unethical behavior or the political/policy decisions of elected officials,” said Jason Gramitt.

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza
Violation of Town Ordinance

According to the Town’s existing ordinance relating to employees, “No person in the employ of the town government shall use or permit the use of town equipment for any private purpose.”

In 2010, the town did create its own ethics commission, but in eight years not one has been appointed.

Lombardi also spoke to the creation of a town ethics commission -- which he had promised during the most recent campaign, to include appointees by the Mayor and City Council -- which has never happened.

"We never did it," said Lombardi. "We're concentrating on our finances, we just improved our bond rating."

Common Cause's John Marion
When asked if an ethics commission would have overseen such a matter -- ruling on a town employee using town equipment for political purposes -- Lombardi ignored the question. 

"Look, I'll just resend it," said Lombardi, of the email. 

Ethics Promised

In a debate in 2016 on WPRI, Lombardi said, “We should have had an ethics commission a long time ago. We are waiting for the Council.. a few appointments from the Council and we have a couple of people we are ready to appoint," said Lombardi.

Now, nearly two years after the debate against then-challenger Kristen Catanzaro and the on-air promise to move forward with the Ethics Commission - no one has been appointed and the commission has never met.

“The Mayor should make the appointments to the municipal ethics commission so they can enforce the municipal code. Without commissioners the code is a dead letter," said Marion.


All 50 States - Ethics Disclosure Requirements

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